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Fodor's Expert Review Silver Cloud Inn Lake Union

Name: Silver Cloud Inn Lake Union
Address: 1150 Fairview Ave. N, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
Telephone: 206-447–9500;800-330–5812
Price range: $$

1150 Fairview Ave. N, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA See on Map

AnnaMaria Stephens

It's not the most stylish option, but the family-friendly Silver Cloud Inn Lake Union offers a lot of bang for your buck. Many guestrooms feature waterfront views of Lake Union and guests can take advantage of complimentary parking--a real rarity in Seattle--as well as a free shuttle. Great service, an indoor pool, and an included hot breakfast buffet sweeten the deal.

Book early for summer stays as weekends fill up quickly.

room

Clean and comfortable, spacious guestrooms come equipped with a fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker. The décor is plain and dated but well-maintained; try to snag one of the hotel’s waterfront view rooms, which overlook picturesque Lake Union, where sailboats skim by and seaplanes take off and land in the near distance. Some rooms also include fireplaces and tiny decks.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Freeway-facing rooms can be a bit noisy, so bring earplugs or choose a water-facing option.

bathroom

They’re nothing to write home about, but the Silver Cloud Inn’s bathrooms are spotless and feature a separate sink for convenience and Aveda toiletries. King bed Jacuzzi rooms include an en-suite two-person whirlpool bath.

lobby

Guests are welcomed by a very cute life-size beaded pig sculpture--undoubtedly a nod to Rachel the Pig, who lived on the Puget Sound’s Whidbey Island in the ‘70s and was immortalized by the iconic Rachel the Pig piggybank sculpture at Pike Place Market. The lobby also has self-serve coffee. Enjoy it sitting by the lobby fireplace or take it to go.

pool

A good-sized indoor pool surrounded by seating is especially popular with kids. Large windows keep the pool room bright, even in gloomy winter. There's also a hot tub.

gym

A fitness center includes the usual suspects: several cardio machines and a good selection of free weights.

dining

The surprisingly decent hot breakfast buffet is a boon for budget-minded travelers, especially families with lots of mouths to feed.

Breakfast is served in a light-flooded room with plenty of comfortable seating and a sun porch to take in lake views.

LOCATION

Getting Around

The south end of Lake Union has plenty of its own attractions, all walkable, including the charming Wooden Center for Boats, which offers free boat rides on Sundays (if you get there really early to score a spot), and the Seattle-focused Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI).

Restaurants

Fresh traditional sushi is on the menu at I Love Sushi (2-minute walk), which gets slammed on weekends. It’s not the only seafood option: White Swan Public House (2-minute walk) serves up fantastic fish and chips, The 100 Pound Clam (3-minute walk) features casual eats with a seafood-shack vibe, the family-friendly Duke’s Chowder House (4-minute walk) belongs to a small Seattle chain famous for – you guessed it – the clam chowder. Novilhos Brazilian Steakhouse (5-minute walk) caters to carnivores with top-notch grilled beef.

Bars

Locals rave about re:Public (15-minute walk), a hip brick-walled bar and restaurant with top-notch drinks and a small gastro-pub menu. Bravehorse Tavern (8-minute drive) serves dozens of craft brews and signature house-made pretzels. But really, it’s worth the short cab ride to check out countless cool bars in Capitol Hill if that’s high on your agenda.

WHY WE LIKE IT

You can't go wrong with free stuff, and this family-friendly hotel on Lake Union includes complimentary parking and a hot breakfast buffet served in a light-flooded space with a waterfront sun porch. While clean and well-maintained, the rooms are on the plain and dated side, but the views and an indoor pool make up for it. It's a great option for guests who plan to explore beyond the Downtown core.